Looking after your health after a big personal injury
Serious injuries can arise when you least expect it – and unfortunately, there’s little you can do to prepare yourself in advance. Whether you or someone close to you has been in a car accident or incurred a severe sports injury, getting a grasp of the recovery process can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Firstly, look to settle any legal matters, if any. For example, if the accident was not your fault, there are legal professionals that can support you. You can start the process by filling out a personal injury compensation calculator to see whether you could be owed any compensation.
Having this settled will help you to move forward from your accident, but alongside this, it’s important to begin any additional steps to recovery.
How to look after your health after a big injury:
Ask for professional help
Depending on the type of injury you have sustained, there are several types of professional available. Trainers and physiotherapists can help you recover physically, while psychologists are there to keep your mental health intact, which can be especially important if you’ve experienced trauma from your accident.
Surround yourself with loved ones
It goes without saying that you’ll need as much support from your loved ones as possible during this time. If you’re feeling low, don’t be afraid to reach out to people for company. Surrounding yourself with others is scientifically proven to release oxytocin, which can promote healing and help with different types of pain.
Practice acceptance and gratitude
An inability to go about your day-to-day can be extremely tricky. However, practicing acceptance and gratitude has been shown to help with recovery and maintain better mental health during this period. Some people find journalling or scrapbooking beneficial.
Stay as active as you can on your day-to-day
Where feasible, try your best to stay active and remain mobile. Even if you go outside for a steady, short walk, you can take in additional benefits such as being out in nature, which can have positive benefits for your mental health. If you’re not at this stage, simply getting out of bed or sitting up can make a big difference.
Be optimistic
Again, focusing on maintaining good mental health during this time is key. And one way to help with this is to try your best to remain optimistic. For some, it might help to create a list of things you’d like to do when you recover. Perhaps a short-term and long-term list would be a more realistic and achievable solution.
We hope these recommendations help you recover after your injury. Remember: your life is not over, and you will get better with time. The important thing is to help support the process and avoid hindering any progress. Asking for professional help, surrounding yourself with loved ones, practicing acceptance and gratitude, and staying active and optimistic can be a great place to start. Do you have any further suggestions to add? Please comment below with any tips that may help others who are also in this situation.
